Refugee Employment Navigator

Why You Should Apply:

Every year, refugees arrive in Pittsburgh ready to work and begin providing for their families. Our region offers many opportunities, but due to language barriers, low literacy, skill mismatches, and cultural differences, finding and retaining work can be challenging. The Refugee Employment Navigator will work closely with the Career Services team to help refugees (and by extension their families) achieve financial and economic self-sufficiency to ensure successful community integration. 

Position Summary:

The Refugee Employment Navigator will work within a team of professionals to implement activities focused on welcoming, orienting, mentoring, and inspiring success for job-seeking refugee clients and their families. This includes addressing barriers, connecting to community resources, and working alongside the family to achieve their goals. This individual will also provide interpretation, lead outreach efforts in Pittsburgh’s refugee communities, and help staff members organize and facilitate groups. The Refugee Employment Navigator will also serve as a cultural advisor and help Career Services staff to implement culturally-relevant strategies to enhance the services JFCS provides. This position may require some evening and/or weekend hours to lead enrichment activities or groups.

Competencies:

• Belief in justice and equality in providing opportunities for immigrant and refugee populations.
• Passion for helping individuals achieve independence through employment and education. 
• Ability to form strong and compassionate connections with others.
• Enthusiastic, engaging, and empathetic disposition.

Qualifications:

• Experience providing services to refugees and immigrants in the United States or overseas.
• First-person experience as an immigrant/refugee is strongly encouraged.
• Bilingual language skills are strongly encouraged (especially in Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, or Ukrainian).
• Creativity, innovation, curiosity, and patience are essential skills. 
• Must have English ability (spoken and written), as well as top level organizational, communication, problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under strict deadlines. 
• Comfortable making home visits to clients living throughout the region. 
• Experience with inputting information into data systems. 
• Must work well as part of a team, including with case workers, employment developers, interpreters and others.
• Ability to work flexible hours. 
• Access to a functional vehicle is required. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist clients with initial contact to service providers; help them gain confidence in accessing services independently to achieve self-sufficiency.
• Serve as an advocate for the clients to ensure their understanding of available resources.
• Conduct outreach activities and follow up with individuals and families.
• Provide support to the employment team and other Career Services staff to help clients navigate systems and access resources.
• Ensure proper documentation and management of client information while ensuring confidentiality.
• Interpretation, in-person or via phone, for clients and their families. Locations include at clients’ homes, area employer sites, community organizations, and government offices.
• Translate forms and relevant documentation, texts, and other materials as needed.

• Maintain a highly collaborative relationship with all individuals involved in JFCS programming, including clients and other staff.

• Participate in ongoing training and other professional development activities.
• Support volunteers, mentors, and interns involved with the program, as appropriate.
• Assume other related duties as assigned.

About JFCS:

JFCS is a local leader in providing innovative and effective social service solutions to challenges facing families and individuals in the Pittsburgh region. The work we do includes counseling, workforce development, guardianship, critical needs assistance, and refugee and immigrant services. We also have a scholarship program and operate the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry.  

We believe that when people with diverse experiences come together, problems can be solved.